University of Roehampton appoints new Vice-Chancellor

Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard has been appointed by the University of Roehampton as its new Vice-Chancellor. He will join the University on 1 May 2019.

Professor Ezingeard is currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), where he plays a leading role in ensuring the successful strategic functioning of the University and in internal and external engagement.

At MMU, he has been instrumental in developing partnerships with businesses and employers across the region, in creating the largest degree apprenticeships portfolio in the UK and in significantly enhancing the University’s research environment and its impact. He has also played a key role in developing the University’s estate strategy and its approach to diversity and equal opportunities. An Engineering Science graduate from École Centrale de Lille, France, Professor Ezingeard has held leadership positions at Brunel University London, Kingston University and Henley Business School.

Professor Ezingeard said: “I am thrilled to be joining the University of Roehampton. As the only collegiate, campus-based university in London, it offers a unique and wonderful environment for its students and staff to grow as individuals and as a learning community. The University’s track record in widening participation, teaching excellence and research excellence speaks for itself. I want Roehampton to continue to be celebrated as an engine of social progress, rooted in the deeply held values of its founders, powered by its approach to learning, teaching and research.”

Sir David Bell, Chair of the University of Roehampton Council said: “I am delighted that Professor Ezingeard will be joining the University as our new Vice-Chancellor. The appointment panel was particularly impressed with the deep affinity he has with the values of Roehampton, our Colleges and Providing Bodies, which are such an integral part of what makes the University an inspiring and unique place to study. The role the University and our Colleges have played in higher education dates back over 175 years, and Professor Ezingeard’s commitment to inclusion and widening participation, his passion regarding the value to students and society of academic research, and his vision for developing further our partnerships with industry, all make him the ideal candidate to take the University forward into the next chapter of our story.”

ChuChu Nwagu, Roehampton Students’ Union President said: “The Board of Trustees, Vice Presidents of the Students’ Union, the Students’ Union team and myself would like to offer our congratulations and warm welcome to Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard. We look forward to welcoming him to Roehampton in May 2019 and the opportunities that we shall be able to realise together; as we seek to enhance our shared mission to improve the lives of our students through offering a transformative student experience.”

Professor Paul O’Prey, current Vice-Chancellor of the University of Roehampton said: “I am really proud of the role that Roehampton plays in transforming the lives of our students and in improving society. Having led such a wonderful organisation over the last 15 years, it is exciting that next year I will hand over to Professor Ezingeard, who clearly shares the values of our community and who has an ambitious vision of where we can grow and develop.”